The Miami Herald has composed a panel of readers to try products for face, body and hair. Here are their opinions:

Product: Elgydium Whitening Toothpaste

Claims: Contains micro-pulverized sodium bicarbonate that has far greater whitening properties than traditional sodium bicarbonates. Micro-pulverized sodium bicarbonate is five times smaller than typical sodium bicarbonate and gently polishes teeth for a bright, white smile.

Cost: $9 at Las Olas Chemist Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale; $10 at RX Pharmacy, Miami; and at drugstore.com.

Time tested: Up to 30 days, as needed

HATE IT!

Leonor Real

Age: 47

Residence: Hollywood

Opinion: Hate it!

Why: It has a thick consistency. The mint taste is pretty strong, and the first time I used it, it actually stung my tongue, although I gradually got used to it. I did not notice any whitening of my teeth.

Judy Genao

Age: 37

Residence: North Miami Beach

Opinion: Hate it!

Why: During the first two days, my gums felt very sensitive after using this product. After that, I had no problem. But while it does clean, there is no crisp feeling to your mouth after using it. And I did not see any significant difference in the whitening of my teeth.

Lori Helitzer

Age: 51

Residence: Plantation

Opinion: Hate it!

Why: Too pasty and chalky. It was hard to get it off my teeth -- I had to rinse a few times -- and it did not make my teeth any whiter, either.

Kimberly Marzo

Age: 38

Residence: North Miami Beach

Opinion: It's OK

Why: My teeth felt clean and bright, and it tasted OK, but there's no apparent whitening.

Nancy Sica

Age: 57

Residence: Miami

Opinion: It's OK

Why: There was a slight whitening effect, but not too noticeable. What was missing was that ''clean, minty'' feeling. I ended up using my regular toothpaste afterward because of the slight medicinal taste.

BOX

Panelists choose from the following:

LOVE IT!

IT'S OK

HATE IT!

Compiled by Kathryn Wexler, panel@MiamiHerald.com.

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